Article elevating machine



April 1942- H. F. A. RICHARD ET AL 2,278,946

ARTICLE ELEVATING MACHINE Filed Jan. 27, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 7, 1 942.

H. F. A. RICHARD ETAL ARTICLE ELEVATING MACHINE Filed Jan; 27, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Ap 1942' H. F. A. RICHARD ETAL 2,278,946

ARTICLE ELEVATING MACHINE Filed Jan. 27, 1940 a Sheets-Sheet} Patented Apr. 7, 1942 UNITED STATES m ARTICLE ELEVATDTG acrame I may F. A. Richard and Alonzo minivan 1 Norfolk, Va", 3 U I Application January 27, 1940, Serial No; 316,044. 1

' 12 Claims. (Cl. 214-109)"- This invention relates to an article-elevating mechanism, and more particularly to a portable device for elevating, racking or stacking cylindrical or barrel shaped articles of merchandise or hogsheads to selected-predetermined points of elevation to thereby stack or rack the" articles in piles of predetermined configuration.

In the tobacco industry it is requisite that hogsheads or containers of tobacco be racked or stacked in piles of such configuration that one'or more tiers of hogsheads are supported upon or,

bya lower or ground tier; therefore an object of this invention is to provide an elevating mechanism for conveniently receiving the hogsheads or articles of merchandise from the ground or frame 'of' the arcuateposed arcuate trackway so :thab the articles are l floor and elevating-them to adjustably selected discharge points above the ground or floor, so that the hogsheads are so discharged as tobe piled one upon the other for permanent storage or for temporary stacking during transit. Another-object of this invention is to provide an article-elevating mechanism' including an article-supporting carriage movable along an upwardly and laterally disposed trackway so that the articles are received by the carriage at the.

floor or ground line and elevated tothe top of the arcuate ,trackway, and adjustable means for elevating the upward discharge portion of the arcuate trackway to predetermined points above the floor or ground.

A further object of this invention is to provide a an article-elevating mechanism including an rollers or wheels .way to predetermined points abovethe floor or" ground so that the from the carriage at" these points of elevation v to stack or rack-the articles ofmerchandiseih' articles may be discharged pilesof predetermined number of tiers, aa rein+'- forcing'frame for the I arcuate;, trackway and power driven means Supported by the reinforcing trackway for moving the carriagevalong the arcuate trackway. e A more specific object of this invention is to provide j an article-elevating mechanism including an adjustable article-supportingacarriage 2:" movable along an .upwardlyand .laterally disreceived --by the carriage at the floor, or ground and elevated to the top of the trackway, a supporting frame supporting frame, a componentof the supporting frame being" movable relative to the arcuate ,trackway' to elevate theupper= terminal of thetrackway to predetermined points above the floor or ground so that the articles may be discharged from the carriage at these points; of elevation to stack or rack the articles of merchandise in v piles of predetermined number of tiers, a rein- ;forcing-frame forthe arcuate trackway. and; power driven means. supported by the reinforc ing frame of the arcuatetrackway for moving the carriage along for limiting the movement of the carriage along article-supporting carriage movable along an upwardly and laterally disposed arcuate trackway so that the articles'are received by the carriage at the floor or ground and elevated to the top of the trackway, a supporting frame for supporting the trackway and means for adjusting components of the frame relative to the trackway to elevate the upper terminal of the trackway to predetermined points above the floor or ground so that the articles may be discharged from the carriage at these points of elevation to stack or' rack the articles of merchandise in piles of predetermined number of tiers.

A specific object of this invention is to provide an article-elevating mechanism including an article-supporting carriage movable along an upwardly and laterally disposed arcuate trackway so that the articles are received by the car-' riage at the floor or ground and elevated to the the trackwayat the terminals thereof and means supported by the reinforcing frame of thearcuate trackway'and operably connected with the movable component of the supporting frame to. move this component relative to the arcuate trackway' to thereby effect its adjusting move- It'is also anobje ct of this invention tovprovide an article-elevating machine of generally improved construction,"'wh'ereby the device be simple durableand inexpensive inconstruc v I tion; as well' as convenient, practical, service'- able and efficient in; its use.

With'the foregoing and other obj cts'in' view,-

which will appear as the description proceeds,

the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details Moontop of the trackway, a supporting frame for supporting the trackway and means for adjusting components of the frame relative to the trackway to elevate the upper terminal of the trackstrucjtion hereinafter described; and claimed, it

being understood that various changes in form,

proportion, and minor details of construction may be made within withoutdeparting from the spirit or sacrificing any advantages of: the invention.

For a completeidisclosure of the invention, a

for supporting the trackway, I for supportinga terminalof the the arcuate trackway,"means the scope of the invention.

detailed description of the improved article-elevating device will now be given in connection with the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational View of the ele- I base members I5 preferably formed of channel '1;

members as shown. The base members are preferablytied re'lative-toeach other by suitable cross members or ties I 6 and the lower or inner terminals of the base members are pivotally secured to the lower terminals of the arcuate channel .tracklmembers by a pivot rod or shaft I1.

and 36. Although each drum may be mounted for independent rotation it is preferred that both drums be supported on a common transversely extending shaft 42 to which they are secured against rotation relative thereto. A crank member or handle 43 is secured to the shaft 42 at one side of the machine in order to provide means for manually rotating the rotatably supported drums 40. A ratchet disc 45 is rigidly secured to the shaft 42 at one side of the machine and a pivotally supported pawl 46 provided with a ma- The opposed or outer terminals of the base members I5 are supported by wheels orrollers I8 carried by a shaft or rod 2il-thatextendsacross the machine and has each terminal pivotally secured to the outer terminal of one of the base members I5 and thelower terminal of a support or stanchion 2I. This stanchion is preferably formed of channel iron or other suitable com-' mercially' obtainable material. A stanchion is positioned at each side of the machine and a tie or bracerod 22 extends transversely across the 7 machine and has its opposed terminals secured to the upper terminals of the stanchion 2i The rod: 22 operably supports rollers 'or other'antifriction members 23 at points adjacent its ter- 'minals and these rollers are received within elongated arcuate slots or recesses 25 formed in a securing member or plate 25 which is suitably secured to each arcuate trackway by bolts or 1:;

other securing devices indicated at '21.

A reinforcing frame 28 is provided for the ar-' cu ate trackway and this frame includes angularly disposed'brace members or-struts 39 and 3 I The upper terminals of the struts 3| are secured at each side-ofthe arcuate trackway to angle reinforcing or securing plates 32. The lower terminals of the struts 3| are secured to reinforcing angle plates 33 positioned at each side of the machine and these angle plates, in turn, are secured to the lower terminals of brace members or spreaders 34 preferably formed of angle iron or suitable commercially obtainable material. A

nipulating handle 45' engages the teeth of the 42 against rotation relative to the machine frame when the pawl isin locking position. Cables or other suitable flexible elements 41 are secured to and wrapped about each drum and extend tangentially therefrom, and the outer terminal of each cable is secured to a stanchion 2I adjacent the upper terminal thereof by a clevis or other suitable attachingdevice 48. By this arrangement'when the handle or crank 43 is manipulated to rotate the shaft 42 and drums 4B the cables may be either-wound up or released to cause the'upper terminals of the 'stanchions 2i to move along the slideways or slots 25' of the securing plates 25. to thereby adjust the height or elevation of the outer terminal of the arcuate trackway fromthe ground or floor; After this adjustment-hasbeen made-thepawl 45 is moved back into engagement with the teeth of the ratchet M to thereby 'lock the drums against rotary movement. 4 r

A composite article supporting carriage'50 is provided for sliding movement along the channel members II of the arcuate trackway I0. The carriage includes a rectangulararticle supporting member orframe 5| which is formed of a plurality of longitudinally extending angle members 52. Transversely extending channel members 33 are secured to the'longitudinally extending angle members'52 to thereby provide a rigid frame structure. Further rigidity may be added to the frame structureby the provision of angle braces or plates-54 at corners of the frame, as best shown in Figure 3. Supporting plates or legs 55 are suitably secured to and extend downward- 1y from each side of the article-supporting frame 5| and an 'antifriction' roller or wheel 56 is secured to the lower or outer terminal of each leg 55. The antifriction rollers 56 are operably similar brace member or spreader 36 is positioned at each side of the machine adjacent the spreaders 34 and preferably disposed parallel thereto. 4 The lower terminal of the spreader 36 is secured to a reinforcing angle plate 31 which is, in turn, secured to a terminal of the strut 30. The up perterminals of the brace members 34 and 36 are secured to the channels II by suitable securing-devices as indicated at 3'7. The lower terminal of each strut 35 is secured to a channel track member II as indicated at 38. By this arrangement, a strong reinforcingframe is provided for'the arcuate track members I I to produce a strong and rigid construction.

A cable drum 4! is rotatably supported at each side of the machine by plates or other suitable frame components 4I carried by the struts 34 'ing members 52.

received within the channel track members II at each side of the machine to guide the article-supporting frame 5] along the trackway as will be more fully explained hereinafter. A cross brace or tie 51 is secured to and extends between the legs 55 at each side of thesupporting frame 5|, for a purpose to be hereinafter disclosed.

In order to provide. means for. conveniently loading articles of merchandise, such as barrels or tobacco hogsheads H; indicated diagrammatically in Figures 1 and 2, onto the article supporting carriage 513, a rectangular loading and retaining frame E0 is provided as a'component thereof and it is pivotally secured relative to the rectangular frame 5!. 'The pivotally supported frame 60 includes longitudinally extending angle or channel members BI and transversely extend- A frame 68 may be reinforced by the provision of angle tie plates 63 to which the longitudinally extending members 5| and the transversely extending members are secured. A securing or pivot plate E5 is secured at each side of the frame fill to the longitudinal members GI by rivets or other suitable securing devices 66 so that the plate 65 becomes an integral part of the frame 60; A pivot rod or shaft 61 extends through suitable apertures formed in the plates 65 and the longitudinal members 6| of the frame 60 and also the longitudinal members 52 of the frame to thereby pivotally secure the frame 60 to the frame 5|. A segment or securing extension 58 extends outwardly from each plate 55 and is provided with spaced apertures 10 for the reception of a securing member or bolt II. The securing member or bolt 'H extends through a selected aperture 10 and also through an aperture formed in a side longitudinal member 52 of the frame 5| to thus rigidly secure the frame 60 in predetermined position relative to the frame 5|. By this arrangement the frame 60 may be secured in different positions relative to the frame 5|, as will be more fully explained hereinafter.

At a point intermediate the terminals of each tie 51 a clevis or link is suitably secured thereto, and this clevis is, in turn, carried at a terminal of a chain, cable or other suitable flexible element 16. Each flexible element extends upwardly from each clevis 15 around an idler guide roller or sprocket I! then around a driven sprocket 18 carried by a transversely extending shaft 80 which is rotatably supported by the track{ way and its reinforcing frame as indicated at 8|. From this point the chain or flexible element 16 extends downwardly around an idler pulley or sprocket 82 then around an idler sprocket 83 rotatably secured at the lower terminal of the arcuate trackway H, and, finally the terminal of the cable is secured to an ear or extension 85 of the cross brace or tie 51. By this arrangement, a chain or flexible element 15 is operably mounted at each side of the machine with its opposed terminals secured to the article-supporting carriage 50 so that movement of the chain or flexible element 16 along its supports moves the article-supporting carriage 50 along the arcuate trackway I0.

Any suitable power imparting instrumentalities may be employed for driving the chain or 80 intermediate its terminals. By this arrangement the motor drives the drive shaft 80 through the instrumentality of the operably interposed chain 90, and, the shaft Bil, in turn, drives the chains or flexible elements 16 to move the composite article supporting carriage 50 along the channels ll of the arcuate trackway Ill. The motor 86 is preferably of the well known reversible type and is controlled by a switch 92 of conventional construction. By manipulating the switch 92 the operator may establish the electrio circuit to the motor to thus drive the carriage 50 in selected direction along the channels II of the trackway |ll. Limit switches 93 of conventional and well known construction are positioned at each terminal of the arcuate trackway In in the path of travel of a component of the carriage 50 so that when the carriage impinges either limit switch 93, the electric circuit is broken to prevent the carriage running off the arcuate trackway. Inasmuch as an electric circuit for energizing a reversible motor, and in which circuit switches are operably interposed, is well known and understood by those skilled in the art, the circuit has not been depicted in the drawings.

In operation, assuming the-carriage is in loading position. as depicted in Figure 1, an article of merchandise, such as a barrel or tobacco hogshead H, is rolled onto the loading and retaining frame of the article supporting carriage 50 until the supporting frame 5| is'engaged. The electric motor 86 is then energized to drive the chain 16 through the interposed drive chain 90 and shaft to thereby move the carriage 50 upwardly along the arcuate "trackways or channels II. After the carriage 50has moved a short distance upwardly along the trackways II, the retaining frame 60 of the carriage 50 moves from its initial horizontal position so that its outer terminal is inclined upwardly, thereby retaining or chocking the hogshead H in the carriage 5!]. Continued upward movement of the carriage 50 along the arcuate trackways causes the carriage to gradually tilt so that the supporting frame 5| graduallyapproaches a horizontal position and the retaining frame 60 is gradually moved towards vertical position. When the carriage reaches a point adjacent the upper terminal of the arcuate trackways I, it has tilted sufliciently to move the supporting frame to or slightly past horizontal position to thereby cause the hogshead H to roll from the carriage onto the-pile of stacked or racked hogsheads.

If the hogsheads are to be stacked so that the pile is three hogsheads high, then the handle or crank 43 is manipulated to draw the upper terminal of the stanchion 2| inwardly to thus elevate the arcuate trackway to its uppermost adjusted position, as depicted in Figure 1. In this position, the upper terminal of the arcuate trackway clears the hogsheads in the second tier so that the hogshead being deposited from the carriage will roll to the top of the second tier to thus position the third hogshead on the stack of hogsheads.

If it is desired to stack the hogsheads in a stack of two hogsheads high, then the handle 43 is manipulated to release the cables 41 so that the upper terminals of the stanchions 2| slide outwardly along the securing plates 26 of the arcuate channels II to thereby lower the outer and upper terminal of the arcuate channels H to a point which substantially coincides with the top of the first tier of hogsheads. In this position the conveyed hogshead is discharged onto the single tier of hogsheads to provide a stack which is two hogsheads high.

To prevent tipping of the machine as the loaded carriage approaches the upper terminal of the arcuate trackway,.the outer terminal of the arcuate trackway may rest on a previously stacked hogshead, as depicted in Figure 1, or under conditions where it is not convenient or practical to support the outer terminal of the arcuate trackway on a previously stacked hogshead, then a keeper or anchor member 96 may be secured to the floor or ground in position to engage the rod or shaft i! or any convenient portion of the-inner terminal of the supporting frame to thereby anchor the frame to the ground or floor.

' When the arcuate trackway I0 is lowered to stack hogsheads two tiers high, as depicted in Figure 2, then its angular'disposition relative to the floor or ground line is changed. In order that the receiving. or retaining frame 60 of the carriage 50 may lie substantially parallel with the floor or ground when the carriage is in loading position, the bolt or securing member H is removed so that the retaining frame 60 and its securing plate 65 may be angularly changed relativeto the supporting frame 5|. In this position the securing member 1| is inserted in the adjacent aperture I9, of the securing plate 65 as indicated in Figure 2, to thusrigidly unite the frames 60 and 5! in such relation that the frame 6!] is parallel with the floor to readily receive a hogshead or article of merchandise H.

After the requisite number of hogsheadshave been stacked in a given location the entire machine may be readily moved to another location, owing to its convenient portability, to elevate hogsheads to form another rack or stack. This operation may be repeated until the required number of hogsheads have been elevated into stacks, and these stacks may be either two or three tiers high in conformity with the requirement.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and useful is:

1. An article-elevating machine, including an inclined trackway, the trackway being circularly arcuate throughout its length and extending laterally and upwardly from the ground or floor to a point of predetermined height, a carriage movable along the trackway from loading position at the floor or ground to unloading position at or adjacent the'upper terminal of the trackway, the carriage shifting from loading position to unloading position at a uniform rate throughout its upward travel along the arcuate trackway.

2. An article-elevating machine, including a trackway, the trackway being circularly arcuate throughout its length and extending laterally and upwardly from the ground or floor to a point of predetermined height, a carriage movable along the trackway from loading position at the floor or ground to unloading position at or adjacent the upper terminal of the trackway, the carriage shifting from loading position to unloading position at a uniform rate throughout its upward travel along the arcuate trackway, and during its initial upward movement the carriage moving from loading position to articleretaining position.

3. An article-elevating machine including an inclined trackway, the trackway being circularly arcuate throughout its length and extending laterally and upwardly from the ground or floor to a point of predetermined height, an adjustable frame for supporting the trackway so that its upper terminal may be positioned at different heights, a carriage movable along the trackway from loading position at the floor or ground to unloading position at or adjacent the upper terminal of the trackway, the carriage shifting from loading position to unloading position at a uniform rate throughout its upward travel along the arcuate trackway.

4. An article-elevating machine including an inclined trackway, the trackway being circularly arcuate throughout its length and extending laterally and upwardly from the ground or floor to a point of predetermined height, a portable adjustable frame for supporting the trackway so that its upper terminal may be positioned at different heights, a carriage movable along the trackway from loading position at the floor or ground to unloading position at or adjacent the upper terminal of the trackway, the carriage shifting from loading position to unloading position at a uniform rate throughout its upward travel alongthe arcuate trackway.

5. An article-elevating machine including an inclined trackway having its lower terminal resting on the ground or floor and extending laterally and upwardly from the ground or floor to a point of predetermined height, a supporting frame for the trackway comprising a base member pivotally secured to the lower terminal of the trackway and extending forwardly from this pivotal connection substantially parallel with the ground to a point of support below the trackway. and an inclined supporting member or stanchion having its lower terminal pivotally secured to the forward terminal of the base member and its upper terminal slidably secured relative, to the trackway, means for moving the supporting member or stanchion about its pivotal connection to slidably move its upper terminal relative to the trackway to vary the height of the upper terminal of the trackway, a carriage movable along the trackway from loading position at the floor or ground to unloading position at or adjacent the upper terminal of the trackway.

6. An article-elevating machine including an inclined trackway having its lower terminal resting on the ground or floor and extending laterally and upwardly from the ground or floor to a'point of predetermined height, a reinforcing frame for the trackway, a supporting frame for the trackway and its reinforcing frame, the supporting frame comprising a base member pivotally secured to the lower terminal of the trackway and extending forwardly from this pivotal connection substantially parallel with the ground to a point of support located below the trackway, and an inclined supporting member or stanchion having its lower terminal pivotally secured to the forward terminal of the base member and its upper terminal slidably secured relative to the trackway a drum rotatably supported on the reinforcing frame of the trackway, means for r0- tating the drum, a flexible element secured to the supporting member or stanchion of the supporting frame at a point adjacent'the trackway and movable by the movement of the drum to thereby move said supporting member or stanchion about its pivotal connection to slidably move its upper terminal relative to the trackway to vary the height of the upper terminal of the trackway, a carriage movable along the trackway from loading position at the floor or ground to unloading position at or adjacent the upper terminal of the trackway.

7. An article-elevating machine including an inclined arcuate trackway extending laterally and upwardly from the ground or floor to a point of predetermined height, a reinforcing frame for the trackway including struts or braces secured at their outer terminals to or adjacent the terminals of the arcuate trackway, spreader members secured to the intermediate portion of the arcuate trackway and the inner terminals of the struts or braces, a supporting frame for the trackway and its reinforcing frame, the supporting frame comprising a base member pivotally secured to the lower terminal of the arcuate trackway and its reinforcing frame and a supporting member or stanchion pivotally secured to the base member and slidably secured to the arcuate trackway, a drum rotatably sup- ,ported on the reinforcing frame of the arcuate trackway, means for rotating the drum, a flexible element secured to the supporting member or stanchion of the supporting frame at a point adjacent the arcuate trackway and movable by the movement of the drum to thereby move the said supporting member or stanchion relative to the arcuate trackway to vary the height of the upper terminal of the arcuate trackway, a carriage movable along the arcuate trackway from loading position at the floor or ground to unloading position at or adjacent the upper terminal of the arcuate trackway.

8. An article-elevating machine including an inclined trackway having its lower terminal resting on the ground or floor and extending laterally and upwardly from the ground or floor to a point of predetermined height, a supporting frame for the trackway, the supporting frame comprising a base member pivotally secured to the lower terminal of the trackway and extending forwardly from this pivotal connection sub stantially parallel with the ground to a point of support below the trackway, and an inclined supporting member or stanchion having its lower terminal pivotally secured to the forward terminal of the base member and its upper terminal slidably secured relative to the trackway, means for moving the stanchion about its pivotal connection to slidably move its upper terminal relative to the arcuate trackway to adjust the height of the upper terminal of the arcuate trackway, a carriage movable along the trackway from loading position at the floor or ground to unloading position at or adjacent the upper terminal of the trackway, and power-driven means supported by the supporting frame of the trackway for moving the carriage along the trackway.

9. An article-elevating machine including an inclined arcuate trackway extending laterally and upwardly from the ground or floor to a point of predetermined height, a reinforcing frame for the trackway, a supporting frame for the trackway and its reinforcing frame, the supporting frame comprising a base member pivotally secured to the lower terminal of the arcuate trackway and a supporting member or stanchion pivotally secured to the base member and adjustably secured to the arcuate trackway to adjust the height of the upper terminal of the arcuate trackway, a carriage movable along the trackway from loading position at the floor or ground to unloading position at or adjacent the upper terminal of the trackway, the carriage constantly changing from loading position to unloading position during its upward travel along the arcuate trackway, a motoroperably supported by the reinforcing frame of the arcuate trackway, a flexible element operably supported with the arcuate trackway and its reinforcing frame and operably connected with the carriage, means for imparting power from the motor to the flexible element to move the carriage along the trackway.

10. An article-elevating machine including an inclined arcuate trackway extending laterally and upwardly from the ground or floor to a point of predetermined height, a reinforcing frame for the trackway, a supporting frame for the trackway and its reinforcing frame, the supporting frame comprising a base member pivotally secured to the lower terminal of the arcuate trackway and a supporting member or stanchion pivotally secured to the base member and adjustably secured to the arcuate trackway to adjust the height of. the upper terminal of the arcuate trackway, a carriage movable along the trackway from loading position at the floor or ground to unloading position at or adjacent the upper terminal of the trackway, the carriage constantly changing from loading position to unloading position during its upward travel along the arcuate trackway, an electric motor operably supported by the reinforcing frame of the arcuate trackway, a flexible element operably supported with the arcuate trackway and its reinforcing frame and operably connected withvthe carriage, means for imparting power from the motor to the flexible element to move the carriage along the trackway, and limit switches positioned at each terminal of the arcuate trackway to interrupt the circuit of the motor to thereby arrest further movement of the carriage along the trackway.

11. An article-elevating machine, including an inclined trackway extending laterally and upwardly from the ground or floor to a point of predetermined height, means for varying the inclination of the trackway, a carriage movable along the trackway from loading position at the floor or ground to unloading position, the carriage including separate pivotally connected angularly-disposed article supporting members or frames, one of the members resting on the ground in parallelism therewith when in loading position, and means for securing the frame in different angular positions relative to each other to accommodate the inclination of the trackway,

12. An article-elevating machine including an inclined arcuate trackway extending laterally and upwardly from the ground or floor to a point of predetermined height, means for varying the inclination of the trackway, a carriage movable along the trackway from loading position at the floor or ground to unloading position at or adjacent the upper terminal of the trackway, the carriage including separate pivotally connected angularly-disposed article supporting members or frames, one of the members resting on the ground in parallelism therewith when in loading position, and means for adjustably securing one article supporting member in predetermined angular relation to the other to accommodate the inclination of the trackway, the carriage shifting from article-loading position to article-retaining position during its initial upward movement along the arcuate trackway.

HARRY F. A. RICHARD. ALONZO R. EVETT. 

